Game Details
Major League Baseball is staging a momentous game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday night. The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals will face off in a regular-season game at this historic ballpark. Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history. The legendary Willie Mays made his professional debut in 1948 at Rickwood Field. Sadly, Willie Mays passed away earlier this week.Game Summary
Who: Giants vs. CardinalsDate: Thursday, June 20
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Rickwood Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Probable Pitchers: RHP Keaton Winn (3-7, 6.66 ERA) vs. RHP Andre Pallante (2-3, 4.61 ERA)
Odds: SF -115 | STL -105
Over/Under: 90
Storylines
The Giants
The San Francisco Giants enter this game with a mixed record. They have lost four of their last six games and currently hold a 36-39 record. They are just one game out of the third National League (NL) wild-card spot. Keaton Winn had a promising start to the season, finishing April with three solid outings. However, he has struggled mightily since then, posting a 13.02 ERA across his last five starts. Despite this, he managed a quality start in his last outing against the Angels.The Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season. They recently managed to rise above a .500 record for the first time since early in the season. However, their momentum was halted by two consecutive walk-off losses to the Miami Marlins. The Cardinals hold a 36-37 record and are currently 7.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. They are tied with the Nationals for the second and third wild-card spots. Andre Pallante started the season as a reliever but has since transitioned to the rotation, where he has made only four starts so far. He averages just 4 1/3 innings per start with a respectable 3.63 ERA. His last outing saw him throw just 59 pitches, which could put additional strain on the Cardinals' bullpen.Prediction
Major League Baseball is likely to have a pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays. Such tributes will undoubtedly strike an emotional chord and set a reverent tone for the evening. The sweltering weather in Birmingham is expected to make Rickwood Field a hitter-friendly environment. Although the ballpark's specific characteristics remain somewhat of an enigma, the conditions suggest that a high-scoring affair could be on the cards. Given the subpar form of both starting pitchers and the already taxed bullpens, fans can anticipate a slugfest. Expect fireworks as both teams capitalize on the favorable hitting conditions. Prediction: Giants 8, Cardinals 7.Major League Baseball is sure to put together a poignant pre-game ceremony honoring the Negro Leagues and Willie Mays.